Angkor Wat is a major draw for travellers visiting Cambodia, and families are no exception. Exploring this vast, ancient temple complex with kids might seem daunting at first, but with a bit of planning, it can become one of the most memorable parts of your trip.
We opted for the 3-day pass and found it struck the perfect balance of adventure, culture, and downtime. With crumbling jungle temples, epic stories of ancient kings, and real-life movie settings, the Angkor Archaeological Park captured our entire family’s imagination.
Read on for a breakdown of our three-day itinerary, plus practical tips for making the most of your Angkor Wat adventure with kids.
About Angkor Wat
Tucked into the jungle just outside Siem Reap, Angkor Wat is more than just a temple—it’s a symbol of Cambodia and a window into the country’s ancient past. Built in the early 1100s by King Suryavarman II, this massive stone complex was designed to honour the Hindu god Vishnu and reflect Mount Meru, the mythical center of the universe. Later, it was transformed into a Buddhist temple, and it remains a spiritual site even today.
As the centrepiece of what was once the largest city in the world, Angkor Wat is just one of hundreds of temples spread across 400 acres of forest and farmland. Despite being over 800 years old, it’s remarkably well preserved, thanks in part to the Buddhist monks who cared for it long after the city of Angkor was abandoned. Wandering its halls and towers feels like stepping into a lost world of kings, gods, and ancient empires.
Day 1: Sunrise & Small Loop Temples
Time: 5:30 am–10:00 am
We kicked things off with a sunrise at Angkor Wat. The silhouette of the temple reflecting off the pond as the sky shifted from pale blue to pinks and oranges was breathtaking—even for our kids, who are rarely enthusiastic at 5a.m.
From there, we followed the “small loop” circuit:
• Srah Srang
• Banteay Kdei
• Ta Prohm
• Ta Keo
Ta Prohm Temple
Ta Prohm was one of our favourites of the day, not just for its dramatic setting deep in the jungle, but also for the impressive restoration work that has helped preserve the temple. It was fascinating to see before-and-after photos showing the careful repairs done to protect the crumbling stone, all while allowing the massive trees and thick vines to continue growing through the ruins, creating a visual of the ancient temple being reclaimed by the jungle.
The boys were completely captivated. They loved exploring the corridors and climbing over roots and vines that seemed to grow right through the temple—an ideal mix of history and hands-on fun. They were especially excited to discover the setting for Tomb Raider, which we’d watched together before arriving. Seeing them weave through the ruins, imagining ancient stories or spotting “secret” hiding spots, was one of the day’s highlights.
Ta Keo Temple
We also really enjoyed Ta Keo, which wasn’t initially on our list but was suggested by our driver. Its tall structure and steep steps made it stand out from the others. The boys had a blast climbing to the top and spotting animal shapes in the stonework—Mason swears he saw a gorilla face carved into the peak.
Day 2: Grand Loop & Epic Faces
Time: 7:00 am–12:30 pm
• Bayon
• Preah Khan
• Ta Som
• East Mebun
• Pre Rup
Bayon Temple
We started the day at Bayon, a unique temple famous for its massive stone faces (over 200) and intricate carvings. While visitors can no longer climb to the peak for close-up photos of the faces, you can still follow a path (about an hour and 15 minutes walk), taking you through the outer galleries and inside the temple, where you can admire the carvings of ancient battles and royal processions.
From there, we visited Preah Khan, Ta Som, and East Mebon—each with its own character and charm. Learning how different kings built these temples over time was especially interesting. While many of the temples from Day 1, including Angkor Wat, were constructed by King Suryavarman II, Bayon was built by his successor, King Jayavarman VII. Temples like Pre Rup and East Mebon were built even later under King Rajendravarman, adding new styles and stories to the complex.
Pre Rup Temple
Pre Rup, our last stop, is a stunning temple built entirely from reddish sandstone, which gives it a warm glow but is also completely exposed to the sun. We arrived around noon and felt the intense heat firsthand. If you can, visit Pre Rup earlier in the day to explore without melting under the sun.
Day 3: Zip-Lining Adventure & Angkor Wat at Sunset
We took a break from temple trekking and spent the afternoon zip-lining through the treetops at Angkor Zipline, located in the national park. We chose the Gold Course, which has nine zip lines (including a tandem zip!) and four sky bridges. It was well-run, safety-focused, and tons of fun for all of us. The kids declared it one of their favourite activities in Cambodia.
Following our thrill ride, we returned to Angkor Wat for a quieter experience. With the sun low in the sky and only a handful of other visitors around, it was a peaceful way to take in the temple’s grandeur without the crowds.
Tips for Visiting Angkor Wat with Kids
Buy your tickets the day before: The ticket center is 10–15 minutes from the temple entrance, and lines can be long. Purchasing your tickets the day before saves valuable time and lets you head straight into the park the next morning for sunrise. Bonus: If you buy your pass in advance, you can visit Angkor Wat for sunset on the same day, without it counting toward your pass. You must arrive at Angkor Wat between 4:45 and 5:30 PM to use this bonus entry.
Time Your Route to Avoid the Crowds: Most large tour groups follow a clockwise loop through the park, starting with sunrise at Angkor Wat and continuing to the most popular temples. For a quieter experience, consider going counterclockwise on the Small Loop, beginning your day at less-visited temples like Banteay Kdei or Ta Prohm. On Day 2, continue in reverse on the Large Loop by starting at Pre Rup instead of heading straight to Preah Khan. Not only is Pre Rup less crowded (along with East Mebon and Ta Som), but climbing to the top in the cool morning air makes it even more enjoyable.
Dress for the heat and temple rules: Lightweight, breathable clothing is essential, but be mindful of the dress code—especially at Angkor Wat’s upper levels. Women must have their shoulders and knees covered (a scarf over a tank top doesn’t count). Men and kids should have shorts to their knees.
Bring sun protection and water: Hats, sunscreen, and water are a must.
Book a tuk-tuk for the day: The easiest way to get around the vast temple complex.
Stick to mornings: Our kids did best with early starts and 4–5 hours of exploring before the midday heat hit. Afternoons were reserved for cooling off and resting.
Mix temple days with other activities: Balance out the temple time with fun outings like the Apopo Hero Rat Centre or the Phare Cambodian Circus.
Leave Some Flexibility in Your Day: Some temples will captivate your kids longer than expected, while others might be a quick stop. Going with the flow is better than checking everything off a list. If you have any “must-see” temples, visit them earlier in the day when everyone has more energy. We ended our second day early because of the intense heat, and were glad we’d already seen the highlights.
Encourage Your Kids to Explore: Give your kids the freedom to wander through the ruins, climb staircases, duck under archways, and hunt for interesting shapes in the stone carvings. Our boys searched for their favourite faces at Bayon and had a blast climbing over vines and roots at Ta Prohm—it turned the temples into one big adventure.
Getting Around
Angkor Wat is the largest religious complex in the world, with hundreds of temples spread across 400 acres, making it nearly impossible to walk. The easiest and most popular way to get around is by tuk-tuk. Most drivers charge between $25 and $ 30 for a full day.
Our driver, Nakri, nicknamed his tuk-tuk “The Batmobile.” He was friendly, reliable, and full of great temple suggestions and fascinating history tidbits. We booked him for all three days of our visit to Siem Reap. Beyond our Angkor Wat tours, Nakri also drove us to other activities around town, making our trip smooth and stress-free.
A Family Adventure at Angkor Wat
Visiting Angkor Wat with kids is an adventure packed with wonder, stories, and hands-on fun. With the right rhythm and a bit of planning, exploring this incredible complex as a family brings history to life and offers a fascinating glimpse into an ancient civilization.
Ready to Explore Cambodia?
Check out these related posts to help plan your trip:
• Up Close with Pangolins: Cambodia’s Phnom Tamao Wildlife Reserve
• Visiting the Killing Fields: Teaching Our Kids Cambodia’s Painful Past
• Three-Day Itinerary in Siem Reap with Kids
• Fun Things to Do in Siem Reap with Kids
